The tens of thousands attending the Royal St. John’s Regatta all heard from Gail Malone, even if they don’t know her name.

She, along with Noelle Kennell, fires the starting gun for each race throughout the day.

Malone was the first woman to join the Regatta Committee in 1983. She’s served as gunner since 1995, but in all those years her enthusiasm for the Regatta hasn’t waned, and she still knows how to start the party with a bang.

She says being on the Regatta Committee is an amazing experience and the day itself, as Mayor Danny Breen said, is like Christmas for townies.

She highly recommends volunteering for the Regatta Committee as a life-changing experience, and mentions that they do have some vacancies.